Potential driven electrochemical modification of tissue

Abstract

A method of modifying a tissue includes providing an electrochemical reaction in the tissue by the use of an anodic electrode and a cathodic electrode wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electrodes is in contact with the tissue; and setting a concentration of electrochemically generated chemical agents that affect the tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating a disease and/or condition in a subject, comprising:
 creating stress in a tissue of the subject to temporarily maintain a predetermined shape of the tissue; 
 providing an electrochemical interaction in a constituent of the tissue; 
 wherein providing the electrochemical interaction includes use of a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode; and wherein the electrodes are placed in a geometric arrangement effective for treating the disease and/or condition in the subject; 
 wherein at least the working electrode is in contact with the tissue; 
 acidifying the tissue to a pH range between 0-7 by acidification at the working electrode and subsequent diffusion of protons to the tissue; 
 diffusing protons through the tissue; and 
 re-equilibration of the tissue to physiological pH for sustained shape change of the tissue. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue is at least one of ligament, tendon, cornea, ear drum, temporal mandibular joint, vocal cord, muscle, skin, nerve, brain tissue, and tumor. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue is at least one of cartilage and bone. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the electrochemical interaction includes at least one of potential-driven electromechanical (EMR) and potential-driven electrochemical modification of tissue (PDEMT). 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a rabbit. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the electrochemical interaction includes using a system having the working electrode, the reference electrode, and the auxiliary electrode; and a control system to apply a precise electrical potential to the tissue. 
     
     
       8. A method of shaping cartilage in a patient, comprising:
 creating stress in the cartilage to temporarily maintain a predetermined shape of the cartilage; 
 providing at least one of a potential-driven electrochemical modification of tissue (PDEMT) device and a potential-driven electromechanical (EMR) device, wherein each device includes a working electrode, a reference electrode, and an auxiliary electrode, wherein the working electrode is in contact with the cartilage; and 
 acidifying the cartilage to a pH range between 0-7 by acidification at the working electrode and subsequent diffusion of protons to the cartilage; 
 using at least one of the PDEMT and EMR devices to shape the cartilage in the patient; and 
 re-equilibrating the cartilage to physiological pH to sustain a predetermined shape of the cartilage. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein shaping the cartilage includes at least one of shaping a facial structure, lengthening and/or tightening ligaments and tendons, and correcting vision in the patient. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising placing the PDEMT device or the EMR device in contact with the cartilage in a way to minimize pH gradients and/or Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , further comprising generating at least one of pH gradients and concentration gradients of added chemical agents in the cartilage by applying an electrochemical potential via pulsed or a custom waveform. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the PDEMT device or EMR device incorporates bipotentiostat and/or polypotentiostat technology. 
     
     
       13. A method of treating a cartilage malformation condition in a patient, comprising:
 creating stress in the cartilage to temporarily maintain a predetermined shape of the cartilage; 
 providing a potential-driven electrochemical modification of tissue (PDEMT) device and a potential-driven electromechanical (EMR) device, wherein each device includes an anodic electrode and a cathodic electrode, wherein at least the anodic electrode is in contact with the cartilage; and 
 acidifying the cartilage to a pH range between 0-7 by acidification at the anodic electrode and subsequent diffusion of protons to the cartilage; 
 treating the patient by using at least one of the devices to shape the cartilage; and 
 re-equilibrating the cartilage to physiological pH to sustain a predetermined shape of the cartilage. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the cartilage malformation condition is at least one of a nasal tip deformity, a deviated septum, a protuberant ear, and a stenotic trachea. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the PDEMT device and the EMR device incorporates bipotentiostat and/or polypotentiostat technology. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein shaping the cartilage includes shaping cartilage in at least one of facial structure, lengthening and/or tightening ligaments and tendons, and correcting vision in the patient.